Age dictates brain functional connectivity and axonal integrity following repetitive mild traumatic brain injuries.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) present a major public health challenge, demanding an in-depth understanding of age-specific signs and vulnerabilities. Aging not only significantly influences brain function and plasticity but also elevates the risk of hospitalizations and death following repetitive mild traumatic brain injuries (rmTBIs). In this study, we investigate the impact of age on brain network changes and white matter properties following rmTBI employing a multi-modal approach that integrates resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI), graph theory analysis, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging (NODDI). Utilizing the CHIMERA model, we conducted rmTBIs or sham (control) procedures on young (2.5-3 months old) and aged (22-month-old) male and female mice to model high risk groups. Functional and structural imaging unveiled age-related reductions in communication efficiency between brain regions, while injuries induced opposing effects on the small-world index across age groups, influencing network segregation. Functional connectivity analysis also identified alterations in 79 out of 148 brain regions by age, treatment (sham vs. rmTBI), or their interaction. Injuries exerted pronounced effects on sensory integration areas, including insular and motor cortices. Age-related disruptions in white matter integrity were observed, indicating alterations in various diffusion directions (mean, radial, axial diffusivity, fractional anisotropy) and density neurite properties (dispersion index, intracellular and isotropic volume fraction). Inflammation, assessed through Iba-1 and GFAP markers, correlated with higher dispersion in the optic tract, suggesting a neuroinflammatory response in aged animals. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay between age, injuries, and brain connectivity, shedding light on the long-term consequences of rmTBIs.

Inter-Rater Reliability of the Pizzi Health and Wellness Assessment (PHWA).

The objective of this study is to determine the inter-rater reliability of the Pizzi Health and Wellness Assessment (PHWA) by comparing the consistency in scores between clients and their caregivers in the following areas of participation: social, physical, family, occupational, mental/emotional, and spiritual. A retrospective inter-rater correlational design was used to analyze the agreement of scores from a convenience sample consisting of two groups: clients with disabilities (n = 19) and their healthy caregivers (n = 19). Inter-rater reliability was calculated using correlations for the PHWA as a whole, and for the current level of participation and wishing to improve participation subsections. Inter-rater reliability as calculated by an Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, and either the Pearson or Spearman rho correlation and found to be reliable between clients and caregivers (rICC = .636, p < .001; rho = .642, p < .001). More specifically, current level of participation demonstrated acceptable reliability (rICC = .513, p < .001; r = .521, p < .001) as did wishing to improve participation (rICC = .689, p < .001; r = .725, p < .001). This supports the PHWA as a clinically relevant health and wellness occupational therapy assessment.

Pregabalin for Recurrent Seizures in Critical Illness: A Promising Adjunctive Therapy, Especially for cyclic Seizures.

BACKGROUND: Pregabalin (PGB) is an effective adjunctive treatment for focal epilepsy and acts by binding to the alpha2-delta subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels to reduce excitatory neurotransmitter release. Limited data exist on its use in the neurocritical care setting, including cyclic seizures-a pattern of recurrent seizures occurring at nearly regular intervals. Although the mechanism underpinning cyclic seizures remains elusive, spreading excitation linked to spreading depolarizations may play a role in seizure recurrence and periodicity. PGB has been shown to increase spreading depolarization threshold; hence, we hypothesized that the magnitude of antiseizure effect from PGB is more pronounced in patients with cyclic versus noncyclic seizures in a critically ill cohort with recurrent seizures. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective case series of adults admitted to two academic neurointensive care units between January 2017 and March 2019 who received PGB for treatment of seizures. Data collected included demographics, etiology of brain injury, antiseizure medications, and outcome. Continuous electroencephalogram recordings 48 hours before and after PGB administration were reviewed by electroencephalographers blinded to the administration of antiseizure medications to obtain granular data on electrographic seizure burden. Cyclic seizures were determined quantitatively (i.e., < 50% variation of interseizure intervals for at least 50% of consecutive seizures). Coprimary outcomes were decrease in hourly seizure burden in minutes and decrease in seizure frequency in the 48 hours after PGB initiation. We used nonparametric tests for comparison of seizure frequency and burden and segmented linear regression to assess PGB effect. RESULTS: We included 16 patients; the median age was 69 years, 11 (68.7%) were women, three (18.8%) had undergone a neurosurgical procedure, and five (31%) had underlying epilepsy. All seizures had focal onset; ten patients (62.5%) had cyclic seizures. The median hourly seizure burden over the 48 hours prior to PGB initiation was 1.87 min/hour (interquartile range 1.49-8.53), and the median seizure frequency was 1.96 seizures/hour (interquartile range 1.06-3.41). In the 48 hours following PGB (median daily dose 300 mg, range 75-300 mg), the median number of seizures per hour was reduced by 0.80 seizures/hour (95% confidence interval 0.19-1.40), whereas the median hourly seizure burden decreased by 1.71 min/hour (95% confidence interval 0.38-3.04). When we compared patients with cyclic versus noncyclic seizures, there was a relative decrease in hourly seizure frequency (- 86.7% versus - 2%, p = 0.04) and hourly seizure burden (- 89% versus - 7.8%, p = 0.03) at 48 hours. CONCLUSIONS: PGB was associated with a relative reduction in seizure burden in neurocritically ill patients with recurrent seizures, especially those with cyclic seizures, and may be considered in the therapeutic arsenal for refractory seizures. Whether this effect is mediated via modulation of spreading depolarization requires further study.

Effect of desmopressin acetate on acute spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage in patients on antiplatelet therapy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) on poor outcomes, hematoma expansion, and adverse events in patients diagnosed with a non-traumatic, antiplatelet-associated intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS: This was a multicenter, retrospective, propensity-matched cohort study comparing DDAVP to control in patients diagnosed with a non-traumatic ICH previously on antiplatelet therapy. Notable exclusion criteria included admission to trauma service, subarachnoid hemorrhages, confounding coagulopathic factors, and hematoma evacuation. Poor outcome, defined as discharge to hospice or in-patient mortality, was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included intracranial hematoma expansion and occurrence of adverse events, which included hyponatremia and thromboembolic events. RESULTS: A total of 49 patients receiving DDAVP were compared to 107 controls in the unmatched cohort. Thirty-seven patients treated with DDAVP and 55 controls were included in the propensity-matched analysis, which was adjusted for age, ethnicity, history of diabetes, receipt of platelet transfusion, and thromboembolism prophylaxis. Poor outcome (16.2% DDAVP vs 29% control, p = 0.13), rates of hematoma expansion (11.8% DDAVP vs 11.1% control, p = 0.99), and adverse events (21.6% DDAVP vs 20% control, p = 0.99) were statistically similar between the matched groups. CONCLUSIONS: DDAVP administration in patients with spontaneous antiplatelet-associated ICH was not associated with a reduction in poor outcomes, hematoma expansion, or an increase in adverse events. Use of DDAVP in this patient population appears to be safe. Larger prospective studies are warranted to evaluate DDAVP utility in this patient population.

Ultrasound of Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter and Stroke Outcomes.

We aimed at utilizing ocular ultrasound to determine its utility in predicting outcomes among stroke patients. DESIGN: Single-center prospective observational study. SETTING: Emergency department and ICUs. PATIENTS: Patients suspected of stroke. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASURES AND MAIN RESULTS: Bilateral optic nerve sheath diameter was measured on arrival and within the first 2 days of admission. Outcomes were inpatient survival, Cerebral Performance Category, and modified Rankin Scale at 3 and 6 months. Analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, paired t test, chi-square test. Eighty-six patients were enrolled with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Mean age was 67.2 years (± 15 yr), and 54.7% of patients were male. There was no difference between left and right eye measurements (p = 0.467 and p = 0.903, respectively) or between longitudinal and transverse measurements (transverse p = 0.163 and longitudinal p = 0.270). Mean optic nerve sheath diameter differed in patients who survived versus died prior to discharge in both ischemic (0.53 vs 0.58 cm; p = 0.009) or hemorrhagic stroke (0.57 vs 0.62 cm; p = 0.019). For every 0.1 cm increase in optic nerve sheath diameter, odds ratio for death were 4.2 among ischemic stroke (95% CI, 1.32-13.64; p = 0.015), and odds ratio 6.2 among ischemic or hemorrhagic patients (95% CI, 1.160-33.382; p = 0.033). Increased optic nerve sheath diameter correlated (r = 0.44; p < 0.0001) with poor functional outcomes measured as modified Rankin Scale scores of 3-6 at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Elevations in optic nerve sheath diameter were associated with increased inhospital mortality and poor functional outcome at 6 months. Optic nerve sheath diameter may serve as a noninvasive marker of inhospital mortality and functional outcome. Further multicenter prospective trials for evaluating and treating optic nerve sheath diameter in ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes are warranted.

Acute Neurologic Manifestations of Respiratory Viruses.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Understanding the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus that causes the disease has demonstrated the complexity of acute respiratory viruses that can cause neurologic manifestations. This article describes the most common respiratory viruses that have neurologic manifestations, with a focus on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. RECENT FINDINGS: In vitro and in vivo studies have better elucidated the neurotropism of various respiratory viruses. Understanding host cell receptors that mediate viral binding and entry not only demonstrates how viruses enter host cells but also provides possible mechanisms for therapeutic interventions. Elucidation of SARS-CoV-2 binding and fusion with host cells expressing the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor may also provide greater insights into its systemic and neurologic sequelae. Respiratory virus neurotropism and collateral injury due to concurrent inflammatory cascades result in various neurologic pathologies, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, encephalopathy, encephalitis, ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and seizures. SUMMARY: Numerous respiratory viruses can infect the cells of the peripheral and central nervous systems, elicit inflammatory cascades, and directly and indirectly cause various neurologic manifestations. Patients with neurologic manifestations from respiratory viruses are often critically ill and require mechanical ventilation. Neurologists and neurointensivists should be familiar with the common neurologic manifestations of respiratory viruses and the unique and still-evolving sequelae associated with COVID-19.

The Modified Early Warning Score: A Useful Marker of Neurological Worsening but Unreliable Predictor of Sepsis in the Neurocritically Ill-A Retrospective Cohort Study.

To determine the performance of the Modified Early Warning Score and Modified Early Warning Score-Sepsis Recognition Score to predict sepsis, morbidity, and mortality in neurocritically ill patients. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Single tertiary-care academic medical center. PATIENTS: Consecutive adult patients admitted to the neuro-ICU from January 2013 to December 2016. INTERVENTIONS: Observational study. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Baseline and clinical characteristics, infections/sepsis, neurologic worsening, and mortality were abstracted. Primary outcomes included new infection/sepsis, escalation of care, and mortality. Patients with Modified Early Warning Score-Sepsis Recognition Score/Modified Early Warning Score greater than or equal to 5 were compared with those with scores less than 5. 5. Of 7,286 patients, Of 7,286 patients, 1,120 had Modified Early Warning Score-Sepsis Recognition Score greater than or equal to 5. Of those, mean age was 58.9 years; 50.2% were male. Inhospitality mortality was 22.1% for patients (248/1,120) with Modified Early Warning Score-Sepsis Recognition Score greater than or equal to 5, compared with 6.1% (379/6,166) with Modified Early Warning Score-Sepsis Recognition Score less than 5. Sepsis was present in 5.6% (345/6,166) when Modified Early Warning Score-Sepsis Recognition Score less than 5 versus 14.3% (160/1,120) when greater than or equal to 5, and Modified Early Warning Score elevation led to a new sepsis diagnosis in 5.5% (62/1,120). Three-hundred forty-three patients (30.6%) had neurologic worsening at the time of Modified Early Warning Score-Sepsis Recognition Score elevation. Utilizing the original Modified Early Warning Score, results were similar, with less score thresholds met (836/7,286) and slightly weaker associations. CONCLUSIONS: In neurocritical ill patients, Modified Early Warning Score-Sepsis Recognition Score and Modified Early Warning Score are associated with higher inhospital mortality and are preferentially triggered in setting of neurologic worsening. They are less reliable in identifying new infection or sepsis in this patient population. Population-specific adjustment of early warning scores may be necessary for the neurocritically ill patient population.

Pterygopalatine Fossa Blockade as Novel, Narcotic-Sparing Treatment for Headache in Patients with Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Severe headache is a hallmark clinical feature of spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), affecting nearly 90% of patients during index hospitalization, regardless of the SAH severity or presence of a culprit aneurysm. Up to 1 in 4 survivors of SAH experience chronic headaches, which may be severe and last for years. Data guiding the optimal management of post-SAH headache are lacking. Opioids, often in escalating doses, remain the guideline-recommended mainstay of acute therapy, but pain relief remains suboptimal. METHODS: This study is a case series of adult patients who received bilateral pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) blockade for the management of refractory headaches after spontaneous SAH (aneurysmal and non-aneurysmal) at a single tertiary care center. We examined pain scores and analgesic requirements before and after block placement. RESULTS: Seven patients (median age 54 years, 3 men, four aneurysmal and three non-aneurysmal) received a PPF-block between post-bleed day 6-11 during index hospitalization in the neurointensive care unit. The worst pain recorded in the 24-h period before the block was significantly higher than in the period 4 h after the block (9.1 vs. 3.1; p = 0.0156), and in the period 8 h after the block (9.1 vs. 2.8; p = 0.0313). The only complication was minor oozing from the needle insertion sites, which subsided completely with gauze pressure within 1 min. CONCLUSIONS: PPF blockade might constitute a promising opioid-sparing therapeutic strategy for the management of post-SAH headache that merits further prospective controlled randomized studies.

Haptoglobin genotype and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: Individual patient data analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To perform an individual patient-level data (IPLD) analysis and to determine the relationship between haptoglobin (HP) genotype and outcomes after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). METHODS: The primary outcome was favorable outcome on the modified Rankin Scale or Glasgow Outcome Scale up to 12 months after ictus. The secondary outcomes were occurrence of delayed ischemic neurologic deficit, radiologic infarction, angiographic vasospasm, and transcranial Doppler evidence of vasospasm. World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) scale, Fisher grade, age, and aneurysmal treatment modality were covariates for both primary and secondary outcomes. As preplanned, a 2-stage IPLD analysis was conducted, followed by these sensitivity analyses: (1) unadjusted; (2) exclusion of unpublished studies; (3) all permutations of HP genotypes; (4) sliding dichotomy; (5) ordinal regression; (6) 1-stage analysis; (7) exclusion of studies not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE); (8) inclusion of studies without the essential covariates; (9) inclusion of additional covariates; and (10) including only covariates significant in univariate analysis. RESULTS: Eleven studies (5 published, 6 unpublished) totaling 939 patients were included. Overall, the study population was in HWE. Follow-up times were 1, 3, and 6 months for 355, 516, and 438 patients. HP genotype was not associated with any primary or secondary outcome. No trends were observed. When taken through the same analysis, higher age and WFNS scale were associated with an unfavorable outcome as expected. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive IPLD analysis, carefully controlling for covariates, refutes previous studies showing that HP1-1 associates with better outcome after aSAH.

Adult Presentation of Ornithine Transcarbamylase Deficiency: 2 Illustrative Cases of Phenotypic Variability and Literature Review.

Ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency is an X-linked recessive disorder that usually presents in the neonatal period. Late-onset presentation of OTC can cause mild to severe symptoms. We describe laboratory and clinical findings of late-onset presentations of OTC deficiency. We conducted a literature search using search terms "ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency," "late onset presentation," and "hyperammonemia" from January 1, 1987, to December 31, 2016, was performed. Only papers published in English were included. We searched on PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar. We also present 2 OTC deficiency cases. A total of 30 adult cases had late-onset presentation of OTC deficiency reported. The majority were women (57%) with a median age of 37 years. The median level of ammonia was 308 mmol/L and the mortality rate was 30%. Our case 1 was a 40-year-old woman who succumbed to neurologic complications after a hyperammonemia crisis following an increased protein intake. Our case 2 was a 43-year-old woman with seizures associated with increased ammonia levels. Our 2 case reports show the wide phenotypic variability and severity in late-onset presentation of OTC ranging from seizures to cerebral herniation. Our literature review is the first to detail published laboratory and neurologic sequelae of late-onset OTC deficiency.

De novo temporal intermittent rhythmic delta activity after laser interstitial thermal therapy for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy predicts poor seizure outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate EEG abnormalities, particularly development of temporal intermittent rhythmic delta activity (TIRDA) after laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) and assess the role of further surgery after LITT. METHODS: We retrospectively identified consecutive cases of LITT for the prevalence of post-operative TIRDA. We assessed baseline demographics, clinical variables including age of seizure onset, age at surgery, pre-operative and post-operative EEG changes. RESULTS: 40 patients underwent LITT for drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), 29 met inclusion criteria. Median duration of follow-up was 15 months. Ten patients had post-LITT ipsilateral TIRDA, another two demonstrated post-operative TIRDA but they occurred contralateral to the side of ablation. None of the patients with TIRDA on their post-LITT EEG became seizure-free. Six out of 29 patients (21%) eventually required anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL), and of those 6 patients 4 (66%) had evidence of TIRDA on their post-LITT follow up EEG. The sensitivity and specificity of post-LITT TIRDA in predicting surgical failure was 57.14% and 100% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Post-LITT TIRDA may serve as a biomarker to predict unsuccessful seizure outcome following LITT and be an early indicator for ATL. SIGNIFICANCE: The presence of TIRDA following LITT should prompt early consideration for reoperation.

Investigational drugs for vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) represents 3% of all strokes in the US. When the patient survives it can lead to permanent incapacity especially if the patient develops vasospasm. The vasospasm is a multifactorial disorder and can lead to delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). Most of the drugs tested to treat vasospasm failed to improve outcome and the only exception is nimodipine. AREAS COVERED: In this review, the authors describe the multifactorial process of vasospasm leading DCI after aSAH, discussing the treatments available based on the past and latest researches. EXPERT OPINION: Nimodipine is the only FDA-approved medication with neuroprotective effect and able to improve outcomes after aSAH. Understanding nimodipine trials is mandatory to understand and criticize all the drug trials published until now. The mechanism to vasospasm is multifactorial and not completely understood and all the other attempts to find a better medication could not prove superior results. Newton and PEGylated Carboxyhemoglobin Bovine can be potentially effective to prevent vasospasm but we still need more data and large studies. Future research should investigate newer drugs, as well as the combination of multiple drugs therapy and the association with blood evacuation techniques.

A Preliminary Observational Study of Anovulatory Uterine Bleeding After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION: It was observed that women with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) tended to have earlier menses than a typical 21- to 28-day cycle. The goal was to determine whether there is an association between aSAH and early onset of menses. METHODS: All cases of aSAH in women aged 18 to 55 years who were admitted to our facility's neuroscience intensive care unit from June 1, 2011, to June 30, 2012, were reviewed. The electronic healthcare record for each of these patients was examined for documentation of menses onset, computed tomography of the head, brain aneurysm characteristics, modified Fisher score and Glasgow Coma Scale on admission, presence/absence of vasospasm, medical/surgical history, and use of medications that affect the menstrual cycle. The mean onset of menses in this study population was compared with the mean of 21 to 28 days with the 1-sample t test. RESULTS: During the study period, 103 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage were admitted. Sixty-one were women, and 15 were aged 18 to 55 years. Nine of the 15 (60%) had documentation of menses occurring during their initial week of hospitalization; 1 patient had documentation of menses on hospital day 12. There is a significant difference when the mean onset of menses in our patient population is compared with the approximate normal menstrual cycle of 21 to 28 days (P < .01). CONCLUSION: Early onset of menses or abnormal uterine bleeding after SAH may occur in women with aSAH and typically within the first 7 to 10 days after intracranial aneurysm rupture. The physiologic cause of early onset of menses after aSAH, whether primary or secondary, remains unknown.

Transition from intravenous to enteral ketamine for treatment of nonconvulsive status epilepticus.

BACKGROUND: Nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) is a diagnosis that is often challenging and one that may progress to refractory NCSE. Ketamine is a noncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonist that increasingly has been used to treat refractory status epilepticus. Current Neurocritical Care Society guidelines recommend intravenous (IV) ketamine infusion as an alternative treatment for refractory status epilepticus in adults. On the other hand, enteral ketamine use in NCSE has been reported in only 6 cases (1 adult and 5 pediatric) in the literature to date. CASE PRESENTATION: A 33-year-old woman with a history of poorly controlled epilepsy presented with generalized tonic-clonic seizures, followed by recurrent focal seizures that evolved into NCSE. This immediately recurred within 24 h of a prior episode of NCSE that was treated with IV ketamine. Considering her previous response, she was started again on an IV ketamine infusion, which successfully terminated NCSE. This time, enteral ketamine was gradually introduced while weaning off the IV formulation. Treatment with enteral ketamine was continued for 6 months and then tapered off. There was no recurrence of NCSE or seizures and no adverse events noted during the course of treatment. CONCLUSION: This case supports the use of enteral ketamine as a potential adjunct to IV ketamine in the treatment of NCSE, especially in cases without coma. Introduction of enteral ketamine may reduce seizure recurrence, duration of stay in ICU, and morbidity associated with intubation.

Promoting Health, Well-Being, and Quality of Life in Occupational Therapy: A Commitment to a Paradigm Shift for the Next 100 Years.

Since the inception of the profession of occupational therapy a century ago, a clarion call to link health with occupation and occupational engagement has been heard. For decades, leaders in the profession have emphasized the need for prevention and health promotion as well as for development of assessments and models linking health with occupation. This article addresses the need for an increased presence of occupational therapy in health and wellness, emphasizing participation over performance, to optimize the health, well-being, and quality of life of individuals, communities, and populations.

Update on Neurocritical Care of Stroke.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review will highlight the recent advancements in acute ischemic stroke diagnosis and treatment, with special attention to new features and recommendations of stroke care in the neurocritical care unit. RECENT FINDINGS: New studies suggest that pre-hospital treatment of stroke with mobile stroke units and telestroke technology may lead to earlier stroke therapy with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), and recent studies show tPA can be given in previously contraindicated situations. More rapid automated CT perfusion and angiography may demonstrate a vascular penumbra for neuroendovascular intervention. Further, the greatest advance in acute stroke treatment since 2014 is the demonstration that neuroendovascular catheter-based thrombectomy with stent retrievers recanalizing intracranial large vessel occlusion (LVO) improves both recanalization and long-term outcomes in several trials. Hemorrhagic transformation and severe large infarct cerebral edema remain serious post-stroke challenges, with new guidelines describing who and when patients should get medical or surgical intervention. The adage "time is brain" directs the most evidence-based approach for rapid stroke diagnosis for tPA eligible and LVO recanalization using an orchestrated team approach. The neurocritical care unit is the appropriate location to optimize stroke outcomes for the most severely affected stroke patients.

Ambulance-based assessment of NIH Stroke Scale with telemedicine: A feasibility pilot study.

Background Ischemic stroke is a time-sensitive disease, with improved outcomes associated with decreased time from onset to treatment. It was hypothesised that ambulance-based assessment of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) using a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant mobile platform immediately prior to arrival is feasible. Methods This is a proof-of-concept feasibility pilot study in two phases. The first phase consisted of an ambulance-equipped HIPAA-compliant video platform for remote NIHSS assessment of a simulated stroke patient. The second phase consisted of remote NIHSS assessment by a hospital-based neurologist of acute stroke patients en route to our facility. Five ambulances were equipped with a 4G/LTE-enabled tablet preloaded with a secure HIPAA-compliant telemedicine application. Secondary outcomes assessed satisfaction of staff with the remote platform. Results Phase one was successful in the assessment of three out of three simulated patients. Phase two was successful in the assessment of 10 out of 11 (91%) cases. One video attempt was unsuccessful because local LTE was turned off on the device. The video signal was dropped transiently due to weather, which delayed NIHSS assessment in one case. Average NIHSS assessment time was 7.6 minutes (range 3-9.8 minutes). Neurologists rated 83% of encounters as 'satisfied' to 'very satisfied', and the emergency medical service (EMS) rated 90% of encounters as 'satisfied' to 'very satisfied'. The one failed video attempt was associated with 'poor' EMS satisfaction. Conclusion This proof-of-concept pilot demonstrates that remote ambulance-based NIHSS assessment is feasible. This model could reduce door-to-needle times by conducting prehospital data collection.